Has anyone broke one of these yet? (Rear Lower Control Arm Endlink Tab)

[RobertHarriSS]

I was under my car tonight ivestigating a creaking noise comming from the trunk area, low and behold what do I find? Same problem. The passanger side lower control arm bracket is broken. It has not compleatly let go yet, but it will soon. Guess what, Pfadt drop springs and sways... I would post pics but it's getting too dark to be jacking up the car and pulling the wheel off tonight.

I wanted springs and sways to help the car handle better just like everyone else. I didn't sign up for this kind of failure. Nuts were tight when installed and rechecked after 100 and 1000 miles after bar install. WTF?

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by Hess Motorsports

I figured I would get these up so that people can see what's now available to correct this issue. These little guys from Pfadt Racing just easily handled the very same complaint from one of our customers.

So here is the totally basic installation. These support plates DO NOT require welding at all. They simply brace under the control arm with locating tabs that also directly locate the plate for the bolt hole for the lower end link mount.


The support plates add the thickness and the proper hole diameter for the end link mounting tab and give it MORE than enough support for the loads placed on the plate.


But just because we can...... we TIG welded the plates in place on the top and sides to give our customer the piece of mind knowing he has a permanent solution to the rear end noise concern he was having.


Props to Pfadt Racing for another great part!!!!!!!!!

OK, the Pfadt solution will help.

But I dont' see how it is going to prevent the tab from bending due to the lateral force applied to it by the stronger Aftermarket swaybar. In my mind the hooks that lock the Pfadt plate in are not nearly robust enough to keep the back side of the tab, where the end link "ball joint" touches the tab, from fatiguing over time. The leverage from the endlink will still be applied to the back or inboard side of the tab.

So, Yes I'm sure Pfadt's plate will help but IMO the best solution is what Pedders recommends. Their new piece is on the inboard side which is where all the pressure is applied from the ball joint side of the endlink. Not the out board side where the Pfadt plate is...

The Pfadt solution is great and will absolutely increase the life of the tab, but it's not going to prevent failures to the same degree the Pedders idea will.

Again, In my very humble opinion, welding in a piece on the inboard side of the end link Tab all the way to the bottom of the LCA and having it welded on to the top, or even better, bent over the top of the endlink tab and welded, would be the best way to stop the tabs from failing.

[coolman]

Originally Posted by GTAHVIT

OK, the Pfadt solution will help.

But I dont' see how it is going to prevent the tab from bending due to the lateral force applied to it by the stronger Aftermarket swaybar. In my mind the hooks that lock the Pfadt plate in are not nearly robust enough to keep the back side of the tab, where the end link "ball joint" touches the tab, from fatiguing over time. The leverage from the endlink will still be applied to the back or inboard side of the tab.

So, Yes I'm sure Pfadt's plate will help but IMO the best solution is what Pedders recommends. Their new piece is on the inboard side which is where all the pressure is applied from the ball joint side of the endlink. Not the out board side where the Pfadt plate is...

The Pfadt solution is great and will absolutely increase the life of the tab, but it's not going to prevent failures to the same degree the Pedders idea will.

Again, In my very humble opinion, welding in a piece on the inboard side of the end link Tab all the way to the bottom of the LCA and having it welded on to the top, or even better, bent over the top of the endlink tab and welded, would be the best way to stop the tabs from failing.

Quote: coolman
Those tabs aren't very beefy. What's to say they won't break off or straighten out over time? What type of metal are they made from? What kind of R&D testing was done on these? I've read some of your post that say there are a lot of stresses in this area which is pretty obvious from PQ's pictures. Why Not just weld a plate onto the existing bracket instead of relying on those tabs? Not trying to nick pick. I just want to know before I buy. I know they don't cost much and that they have to help but for how long. I wonder If GM addressed this issues on the ZL1.

MY post from the other thread. Your not alone on this.
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[PQ]

More and more people are seeing failure here. Glad I spend so much time under my car.

I wonder how many people have this problem and don't even know it.

[Rob@WretchedMS]

GM has redesigned the rear sway bar and how it mounts to the car on the ZL1

[speedster]

Originally Posted by PQ

More and more people are seeing failure here. Glad I spend so much time under my car.

I wonder how many people have this problem and don't even know it.

Glad you did find it. I'd hate to be going 160+ in the 1/4 and have it let loose. Scary.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by speedster

Glad you did find it. I'd hate to be going 160+ in the 1/4 and have it let loose. Scary.

I feel like I should appologize to everyone.

[coolman]

Originally Posted by Rob@WretchedMS

GM has redesigned the rear sway bar and how it mounts to the car on the ZL1

It sounds like they need to consider this across the board. At least on all the V-8 versions.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by coolman

It sounds like they need to consider this across the board. At least on all the V-8 versions.

I just hope it will fit the SS with the aftermarket coilovers.

[coolman]

Originally Posted by PQ

I just hope it will fit the SS with the aftermarket coilovers.

True. Short thread jack. I've been away awhile. did Team L99 win?

[PQ]

Originally Posted by coolman

True. Short thread jack. I've been away awhile. did Team L99 win?

Yup.

[coolman]

Originally Posted by PQ

Yup.

Wow! congrats on completing the smack down. I guess that shut up a lot of pie holes about the L99.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by coolman

Wow! congrats on completing the smack down. I guess that shut up a lot of pie holes about the L99.

Never.

[hrpiii]

Now PQ has to prove who he is with his birth certificate. LS3 camp has contacted Trump already.